The fast growing steel industry, together with its industry-wide restructuring for higher quality products, has greatly revitalized the mill roll manufacturing business. This is particularly true to China. Steel production in China surged from 151 million tons in 2001 to over 490 million tons in 2007. In the same period, the share of flat rolled products climbed from less than 40% to around 50% when a large number of state-of-the-art rolling mills for plate and strip, large sections and seamless pipe were built and put into operation. With the rapid development of the steel industry, the roll manufacturing industry began to flourish. Today, there are more than 300 roll makers, including over 30 international leading players, operating in China catering to the 300,000-ton local market and 30,000-ton export.

To exhibit the technological advancements in roll manufacturing and application, boost technical exchange and business cooperation, identify opportunities and challenges facing the steel mill roll industry, CISA, CSM and MC-CCPIT decided to hold the inaugural China International Steel Mill Rolls Conference from June 2 to 4, 2008 in Shanghai.

With the strong line-up of specially invited lectures from the world major roll manufacturers, steel producers, research institutes and industry associations, and over seventy publicly collected papers covering all the main topics of the conference, CISMRC 2008 promises to be a great gathering for the roll and rolling professionals.

Thank you for your participation and look forward to welcoming you in Shanghai!

Zhang Changfu

Chairman of the Organizing Committee
Vice Chairman of China Iron and Steel Association